Only edited to protect the confidentiality of this patient with advanced cancer. A typical interaction on an ordinary day:
MHO communication:
----- Message -----
From: Linda ***
Sent: 7/22/2020 10:59 AM PDT
To: Aaron Mellor Roland, MD
Subject: My referrals
Hi Dr. Roland,
I just got a phone call from the health plan, she gave me a few doctors ‘names to choose from. I have no idea who is the specialist for my case.
I told her that I still like to see Dr. Dorigo who you highly recommended, and I feel that I need to give myself a better chance by seeing a doctor at Stanford Women Cancer Center. She said that my request can be considered if you will talk to upper management in the network to get a referral for me.
Please see what you can do for me. I respect your advice & decision in this matter. Thank you!
Linda
Hi, Linda-
The doctors in the network, Dr. Chan and Dr. Shen, are very experienced and would be able to help you but I agree that a consult with Dr. Dorigo would also be valuable. It suggest you make an appointment with Dr. John Chan within the network and at the same time I will try again to get a referral for you to see Dr. Dorigo. Sometimes I have been able to get an out of network referral for an opinion, at least. It may well be that each doctor will provide you with similar advice. Or it may be that Dr. Chan may be able to actually provide the care, in plan, based upon the advice of Dr. Dorigo.
It is a shame that our health care system is set up the way it is. We have the choice of health insurance, sometimes, but we don't really have full choice of doctors. Someday we will switch to an improved Medicare for All, but for now we are stuck with what we have....
Aaron
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